CHANGES IN THE BASOPHIL CELLS OF THE RAT PITUITARY AFTER THYROIDECTOMY

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Abstract
SUMMARY: The basophil cells of the rat pituitary may be differentiated into three specific types—thyrotrophs, FSH gonadotrophs, and LH gonadotrophs. These types are considered to secrete the thyrotrophic, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, respectively. The glycoprotein granules of the thyrotrophs differ from those of the other types in being strongly stained by aldehyde-fuchsin. After thyroidectomy the thyrotrophs are almost completely degranulated within 2 days. The degranulated cells thereafter enlarge and can be recognized as early thyroidectomy cells by the 6th day. After thyroxine deficiency, lasting 2 weeks or longer, the thyroidectomy cells contain coarse dense granules ('T' granules) which give an intense reaction with the periodic acid-Schiff reagent for carbohydrate. These 'T' granules are different from the 'normal' granules and are apparently not related to the thyrotrophic hormone. In mild thyroxine deficiency produced by iodothiouracil administration, thyrotrophs are observed with 'normal' granules and also 'T' granules of the kind seen in thyroidectomy cells. This observation provides additional evidence that thyroidectomy cells are modified thyrotrophs.